NASU Issues Seven-Day Strike Ultimatum to WAEC Over Workers’ Welfare

The Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) has given the management of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) a seven-day ultimatum to meet a set of four demands concerning workers’ welfare and alleged victimization of labor leaders. If the demands are not addressed, NASU has threatened to shut down all WAEC offices across Nigeria starting Monday, March 24, 2025.

NASU General Secretary, Prince Peters Adeyemi, announced the ultimatum during a press conference held in Lagos on Monday. He stated that the union is prepared to take decisive action to protect its members’ rights if WAEC management fails to respond positively within the stipulated timeframe. Adeyemi expressed frustration over the prolonged neglect of workers’ welfare and the alleged targeting of labor leaders, which he described as unacceptable.

The union’s grievances center on four key issues that have remained unresolved despite previous attempts at negotiation. Although Adeyemi did not go into detail about each demand during the press conference, he made it clear that the primary concerns involve fair treatment of workers and the cessation of actions perceived as intimidation against union representatives.

Adeyemi emphasized that NASU has exhausted all avenues for dialogue with WAEC management and that the ultimatum serves as a final warning. He reiterated that the union is left with no choice but to resort to industrial action to draw attention to the plight of its members.

If WAEC fails to meet the demands within the seven-day period, the proposed strike would disrupt operations at all WAEC offices across the country. This could have significant implications, particularly as the examination body prepares for the upcoming examination season. WAEC plays a crucial role in administering examinations and issuing certifications for secondary school students across West Africa. Any disruption in its operations could delay these processes, affecting thousands of students and schools.

Adeyemi called on WAEC management to take immediate action to prevent the looming crisis, stressing that the union is open to dialogue if genuine efforts are made to resolve the issues at hand. He also urged the Nigerian government and other relevant stakeholders to intervene and ensure a fair resolution to the standoff.

The seven-day countdown has begun, and all eyes are now on WAEC’s response. Should the examination body fail to meet the demands, NASU’s planned industrial action could bring WAEC’s operations to a halt, creating ripple effects across the education sector. The coming days will determine whether both parties can reach a resolution or if the nation will witness yet another workers’ strike.